The opening, and biggest, event on the Hockey NSW calendar, the three-day carnival marks the culmination of the Centre of Development program.

All about development, it is a chance for the 1000 or so under-13s and under-15s players involved in the program to put what they've learnt into practice in a non-competitive environment.

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As Armidale's Ella Whitty experienced last year, it is also a chance to learn some new skills, and meet and make new friends.

The 14-year old was part of the Northern Inland Thunderbolts contingent that played in Bathurst and said it is a really fun weekend.

Involved in the sport since she was about four, it was somewhat of a natural progression that she would pick up the stick.

"My mum and dad, and brother all play," Whitty said.

She is a promising goalkeeper after taking up the position a few years ago.

"I saw one of my mum's friends keeping and I thought I want to do that," she explained.

The challenge wraps up on Sunday.

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